Ranunculus plant named ‘ABUMACATLO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Ranunculus cultivar named ‘ABUMACATLO’ is disclosed, characterized by vibrant yellow, extra double flowers. Plants produce an above average quantity of flowers of high quality throughout the flowering season. Flower size produced remains large throughout the flowering season. The new variety is a Ranunculus, normally produced as a cut flower and potentially useful as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species:

Ranunculus asiaticus.

Variety denomination: ‘ABUMACATLO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Ranunculus cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Alberto Biancheri in Camporosso Mare, Italy.The cross resulting in this new variety was made during 2008.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, proprietary variety referred to asRanunculus ‘G73-00/A’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietaryvariety referred to as Ranunculus ‘G141/1’. The new variety wasdiscovered in 2012 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resultingfrom the 2008 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Camporosso Mare,Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first performed byvegetative division of buds sprouting from the tuberous root of theselected plant. Subsequent propagation has been performed by tissueculture. First propagation took place at a research greenhouse inCamporosso Mare, Italy in 2012 and has shown that the unique features ofthis cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in multiplesuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ABUMACATLO’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ABUMACATLO’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ABUMACATLO’ as a new and distinct Ranunculuscultivar:

-   1. Vibrant yellow flower color.-   2. Large corolla produced throughout flowering season.-   3. Extra double flower.-   4. Above average quantity and quality of flower stems produced    during the flowering season.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ABUMACATLO’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘ABUMACATLO’ differ in the following;

-   1. Flower shape of the new variety is different. Gynoecium of the    new variety is transformed to petals, forming a round structure in    the center of flower, not seen in the seed parent.-   2. Flower size of the new variety is larger. Flower size of the new    variety is an average range of 8 to 10 cm, average flower size range    of the seed parent is 6 to 8 cm.-   3. Androecium of the new variety is transformed to petals, the seed    parent has reduced stamens and good fertility.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ABUMACATLO’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘ABUMACATLO’ differ in the following;

-   1. Flower shape of the new variety is different. Gynoecium of the    new variety is transformed of petals, forming a round structure in    the center of flower, not seen in the pollen parent.-   2. Flower size of the new variety is smaller. Flower size of the new    variety is an average range of 8 to 10 cm, average flower size range    of the pollen parent is 6 to 8 cm.-   3. Androecium of the new variety is transformed to petals, the    pollen parent has reduced stamens and good fertility.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ABUMACATLO’ are comparable to the unpatentedcommercial variety Ranunculus ‘ABCREAM’. The two Ranunculus varietiesare similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the newvariety ‘ABUMACATLO’ differs in the following:

-   1. The corolla of the new variety has more petals.-   2. Floral size of the new variety is smaller.-   3. Floral color of the new variety is much deeper and brighter    yellow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full colorflowering plants of the new variety at approximately five months old,grown in a greenhouse.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of plant parts.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 6^(th) edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The followingobservations and measurements describe ‘ABUMACATLO’ plants grown in agreenhouse Camporosso Mare, Italy. The plant described has beencultivated under glass, planted in the months of September and describedin the month of February. One must always refer to these conditions ofseason and culture, when considering the present description. By reasonof different climate or culture conditions, differences may arisebetween certain characteristics of the plant and the correspondingcharacteristics of the description. It should be considered as normaland do not modify the essence of the present invention because it willpossible to identify the plant by means of the totality of thecharacteristics given in the description. The tuberous root has beenplanted on raised benches in a peat and pumice substrate mixture. Thegrowing temperature ranged from 12° C. to 25° C. during the day and from2° C. to 8° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright,normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Ranunculus asiaticus ‘ABUMACATLO’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: 15 days at approximately 10-12° C.-   Time to produce a rooted plantlet: 20 days.-   Root description: Tuberous roots. Quantity of tubers varies    significantly with age and environmental factors. Colored tan and    white, not accurately measured with an R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Herbaceous perennial, robust plant, erect vegetation.-   Height to top flower: 55 to 60 cm.-   Plant spread: 30 to 40 cm.-   Growth rate: Medium.-   Branching characteristics: Main floral stems grow from a basal    rosette with 1 or 2 lateral branches, each one of which has a    flower.-   Length of lateral branches: 50 to 55 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 0.6 to 0.8 cm.-   Texture of lateral branches: Slightly tomentose.-   Internode length: Internodes are extremely close together, forming a    basal rosette.-   Strength of lateral branches: Medium.-   Color of lateral branches: Yellow Green (RHS 145A).-   Angle of branches: 15° to 20°.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Usually 2.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf: The leaves, usually numerous, have a marked heterophyllia    (significant variation in leaf shape, size and arrangement on a same    plant). Simple, biternate and ternate leaves appear on the same    plant, in relation to the degree of development (young leaf and    mature leaf) and their position on the plant (basal leaf—leaf at the    base of the plant—and cauline leaf—leaf inserted at the nodes of the    floral stems).-   Leaf at the base of the plant:    -   -   Arrangement.—Simple (young leaf, YL); Biternate (mature            leaf, ML).        -   Average length.—22.0 to 32.0 cm.        -   Average width.—16.0 to 20.0 cm.        -   Overall shape of blade.—Obovate (young leaf); Palmatipartite            (mature leaf).        -   Dissected leaves, describe lobes, quantity of            dissection.—Young leaves are generally not lobed; mature            leaves are generally divided in 3 parts, each one of which            further divided in 3 or more lobes.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Attachment.—Base of the plant.        -   Margin.—Dentate (mature leaf).        -   Texture of top surface.—Slightly tomentose, verrucose.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Slightly tomentose, verrucose.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.        -   Appearance bottom surface.—Glossy.        -   Leaf internode length.—The internodes are extremely close            together, forming a basal rosette.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Green (RHS 138A). Young            foliage under side: Yellow Green (RHS 148C). Mature foliage            upper side: Green (RHS 138A). Mature foliage under side:            Yellow Green (RHS 148C).        -   Venation.—Type: Dichotomous; plunging in to the limb at the            upper surface; raised on the limb at the lower surface.            Venation color upper side: Yellow Green (RHS 145A). Venation            color under side: Yellow Green (RHS 145A).        -   Petiole.—Petiole: Long, tubular, rigid. Length: 13 to 22 cm.            Diameter: 0.5 to 0.8 cm. Pubescence: Slightly tomentose.        -   Color.—Yellow Green (RHS 145A).-   Leaf inserted at the nodes of the floral stems (sl):    -   -   Arrangement.—Biternate.        -   Average length.—16 to 22 cm.        -   Average width.—12 to 18 cm.        -   Overall shape of blade.—Palmatipartite.        -   Dissected leaves, describe lobes, quantity of            dissection.—Generally divided in 3 parts, each one of which            is further divided in many lobes.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Attachment.—Floral stems.        -   Margin.—Dentate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Slightly tomentose.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Slightly tomentose.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.        -   Appearance bottom surface.—Glossy.        -   Leaf internode length.—7 to 14 cm.        -   Color.—Foliage upper side: Green (RHS 137B). Foliage under            side: Green (RHS 138B).        -   Venation.—Type: Longitudinal, plunging in to the limb at the            upper surface and raised on the limb at the lower surface.            Venation color upper side: Yellow Green (RHS 145A). Venation            color under side: Yellow Green (RHS 145A).        -   Petiole.—Petiole: Long, slightly flat, rigid. Length: 8 to            15 cm. Diameter: 0.4 to 0.6 cm. Pubescence: Slightly            tomentose.        -   Color.—Yellow Green (RHS 145A).

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Winter to Spring.-   Vase life (cut flower): 10 to 15 days.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning.-   Number of flowers per plant: 6-8.-   Bud:    -   -   Closed bud (cb).—Shape: Flattened globular, with a sharp            point. Length: 1.2 to 2.3 cm. Diameter: 1 to 2 cm. Color:            Yellow Green (RHS 144A).        -   Slightly open bud (ob).—Shape: Flattened globular. Length:            1.9 to 2.1 cm. Diameter: 2.0 to 2.3 cm. Color: Yellow Green            (RHS N144B).-   Flower size (of):    -   -   Diameter.—8 to 10 cm.        -   Height.—2.5 to 4.5 cm.-   Corolla (of): Round, regular, in the form of a flat section.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Imbricated, disposed on the receptacle in very            tight verticils. The size of the petals is quite variable,            according to the position in the corolla, decreasing from            the exterior toward the center. The average size of fully            developed petal is as follows:        -   Length.—3.8 to 4.8 cm.        -   Width.—4.6 to 5.2 cm.        -   Quantity.—Double flower, petals are very numerous average            range 120 to 160.        -   Texture.—Silky, thin, resistant.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Shape.—Rounded deltoid to nearly orbicular.        -   Margin.—Entire or slightly Crenate.        -   Aspect.—Fan shape, concave, moderately reflexed when flower            is fully opened.-   Color when opening (cf):    -   -   Upper surface.—Yellow (RHS 12A).        -   Lower surface.—Yellow (RHS 12A).-   Color fully opened (of):    -   -   Upper surface (pu).—Yellow (RHS 13A).        -   Lower surface (pl).—Yellow (RHS 13A).-   Calyx to sepals (s):    -   -   Quantity per flower.—6 to 8.        -   Shape.—Concave, moderately incurved.        -   Length.—2.2 to 2.6 cm.        -   Width.—0.8 to 1.8 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Flat to Slightly rounded.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Lower surface is tomentose; Upper surface is            glabrous.        -   Color upper surface.—Yellow Green (RHS 144A and N144A).        -   Color lower surface.—Yellow Green (RHS 144A).-   Peduncle: None.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—50 to 55 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.0 to 1.2 cm.        -   Color.—Yellow Green (RHS 145A).        -   Orientation.—Upright, straight, rigid.        -   Pubescence.—Slightly tomentose.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Androecium:    -   -   Stamens.—Almost absent.        -   Quantity of andropetals.—Andropetals indistinguishable from            petals, quantity included with petals count.        -   Nectar gland.—Absent.-   Gynoecium: The carpels are completely transformed in Strong Yellow    Green (RHS 144B) leaves, which together form a nearly circular    structure in the center of the corolla.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Seeds and fruit production not observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility    to normal diseases and pests of Ranunculus has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Upper and lower temperature tolerance not    observed, plants have been grown in a climate controlled greenhouse.    Ranunculus asiaticus typically tolerates temperatures within USDA    Zones 7 to 11.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ranunculus plantnamed ‘ABUMACATLO’ as herein illustrated and described.